Citrus Park Vehicular Crimes Lawyer

Citrus Park Vehicular Crimes Attorney

Most traffic offenses are limited to civil infractions. They do not create a criminal record or have lingering consequences except higher insurance rates. However, some traffic offenses are crimes. A conviction results in a criminal record; some traffic crimes carry mandatory jail sentences. You may also face suspension of your driver’s license, an obligation to attend traffic school, and other significant consequences. Any criminal conviction could affect you when applying for jobs, housing, credit, education, and professional licenses.

Contact a Citrus Park vehicular crimes lawyer if you face driving-related charges. A knowledgeable attorney at Grand Canyon Law Group can investigate and resolve the situation while minimizing the impact on your way of life.

MANDATORY JAIL FOR DUI CRIMES

Driving under the influence is usually a misdemeanor offense but could be a felony under certain circumstances. DUI convictions always lead to jail time, so working with a Citrus Park vehicular crimes attorney is imperative. Legal counsel could seek dismissal of the charge, negotiate a reduced charge, or secure the most favorable sentence possible.

The severity of the charge and penalty depends partly on how much alcohol was in the driver’s system.

• A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of between .08 and .149 is a regular DUI
• A BAC between .15 and .199 is an extreme DUI
• A BAC of .20 or higher is a super-extreme DUI

A first-offense regular DUI comes with a 10-day mandatory jail sentence. A repeat super-extreme DUI offense requires the driver to serve six months in jail, and at least 90 days of the sentence must be consecutive.

Arizona Revised Statutes §28-1383 defines the factors that could elevate a DUI to a felony charge of aggravated DUI. If the impaired driver has a passenger under 15, is driving on a suspended license, has an ignition interlock device installed, or has at least two prior DUI convictions in the past seven years, they will face aggravated DUI charges. A conviction leads to incarceration, even for a first offense.

OTHER CRIMINAL DRIVING OFFENSES

Arizona deems several traffic law violations as criminal offenses. Our seasoned lawyers in Citrus Park can work to resolve vehicular crime charges with minimal long-term consequences.

MISDEMEANOR VEHICULAR OFFENSES

Speeding is sometimes a criminal offense. If a driver was moving more than 20 miles per hour over the limit in a residential or business district, more than 35 mph in a school zone, or more than 85 mph on any road, they could face criminal charges.

Other misdemeanor vehicular offenses include reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving without insurance or with a revoked or suspended license.

FELONY VEHICULAR OFFENSES

As noted above, aggravated DUI is a Class 4 felony charge. However, causing the death of another person while in an accident when driving under the influence can be charged as manslaughter or even second-degree murder. Hit-and-runs, trying to elude the police, and highway racing are also felony offenses. Anyone accused of a felony vehicular offense needs legal representation from a savvy local attorney.

DEFENDING VEHICULAR CRIMES IN CITRUS PARK

A diligent attorney at Grand Canyon Law Group can work to get the criminal driving charge dismissed or at least reduce it to a violation that does not create a criminal record. Challenging the evidence of vehicular crimes is often a successful strategy. The equipment the police used to determine BAC or speeding could be faulty, or the officer might not have followed proper procedures. Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable, and a skilled attorney could elicit inconsistencies in a witness’s recollection. In many cases, a review of local area surveillance footage or dashcam video could suggest that the prosecutor’s version of events is incorrect.

The prior record of the defendant has a significant impact on any defense case. Repeat offenders are subject to harsher penalties, and someone with several past convictions for the same crime could be sentenced as if they had committed a serious crime. Our vehicular crimes lawyers in Citrus Park will consider all these factors in building an airtight defense for the charges.

RELY ON A CITRUS PARK ATTORNEY TO DEFEND VEHICULAR CRIME CHARGES

A traffic offense might not seem like a big deal, especially if the officer did not arrest you. However, traffic crimes could lead to jail sentences, stiff fines, and sky-high insurance rates.

When the potential consequences are this severe, you should not try to defend a criminal traffic charge without legal counsel. Contact a Citrus Park vehicular crimes lawyer to discuss your situation. At Grand Canyon, we are dedicated to fighting for you and your way of life.

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480-400-5555

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